Tooth brush



June 20, 1939. w, G WOLF 2,163,211

TTTTTTTTT H 1 NNNNNN OR Patented June 20, 1939 v UNITED v STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,163,211 TOOTH BRUSH William G. Wolf, Wilmerding, Pa.

Application March 1, 1937, Serial No. 128,479

2 Claims.

This invention relates to toothbrushes, and its general object is to provide a toothbrush that is not only for the purpose of cleaning and polishing the teeth but includes means for massaging the gums, to bring about and retain the latter in a healthy condition.

A further object is to provide a toothbrush in which the handle thereof acts as such, for a gum massaging device formed on or otherwise secured to the end of the handle opposed to the brush head, and the handle is shaped to facilitate the proper use of the brush head, and especially the gum massaging device, in that the latter can be readily applied to any portion of the gums, with beneficial results.

Another object is to provide a gum massaging device, which is capable of performing its intended function with minimum effort on the part of the user and without fear of irritating or injuring the gums- A further object is to provide a toothbrush including a brush head in which the bristles thereof are shaped, spaced and arranged to facilitate proper cleaning and polishing of the teeth, as Well as to allow for the free passage of water or cleaning fluid through and between the tufts in clean ing the latter and also for the passage of air in drying the same.

A still further object is to provide a combined toothbrush and gum massaging device that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely efficient in use and service This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination 5 and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accom panying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the toothbrush or dental appliance, which forms the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end view looking toward the brush head.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a modified form of massaging device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral l indicates the handle of my appliance,

which has a brush head 2 formed on one end thereof, and the brush head is substantially flat and of oval configuration as best shown in Figure 1.

Secured within the head 2 and extending therefrom are bristles 3 arranged in tufts and it will be noted from Figure 2 that the tufts gradually increase in length from the innermost transverse row to the transverse rows centrally of the head, thence the middle tufts from there to the outer end of the head are substantially the same length, 10 and all the tufts increase in length from the sides of the head toward the longitudinal center thereof, so that the longest tufts are disposed in the central longitudinal rows. The tufts in the form as shown, terminate at their outer ends in conical 15 formation but some of the tufts may terminate in beveled outer ends, and by providing the tufts of the length and shape shown, and described, they will facilitate proper brushing of the teeth and especially the inner side of the front upper 20 teeth.

It will be further noted that the tufts are spaced a considerable distance from each other, and such space allows for easy and expeditious cleaning and drying of the bristles so that they can be re- 25 tained in a clean and sanitary condition.

The brush head is preferably straight as will be noted upon inspection of Figure 2, and a portion of the handle from the brush head is likewise straight, thence is disposed at an up- 30 ward inclination, and terminates at its outer end in an offset rounded knob 4 which is laterally and inwardly tapered from its juncture with the handle to its outer end and is preferably directed to extend on the same side of the handle, 5 as the arrangement of the bristles with respect to the head 2. In any event the offset rounded knob provides one form of the massaging means of my appliance, and it will be obvious that the knob can be readily used for massaging the gums 40 for causing stimulation thereof, to bring about and retain them in a healthy condition.

The portion of the handle, from its connection with the straight portion thereof is preferably tapered outwardly toward the knob 4, as will be 45 noted upon inspection of Figure 1, and adjacent to the outer end, the handle is provided with an opening 5, for the purpose of receiving a nail or other securing means for supporting the appliance when not in use. 5

It will be noted that the edges of the brush head and handle are beveled, which tends to eliminate sharp edges, in order to prevent irritation and injury to the gums or portions of the mouth, as will be apparent. 5

The offset rounded knob 4 is substantially fiat, but in a modified form as shown in Figure 5, I provide a spherical shaped knob 6 which is formed on or otherwise secured to the outer end of the handle I, and it will be obvious that the spherical or shaped knob 6 is for the purpose'of massaging the gums in the same manner as the offset rounded knob 4.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a toothbrush including a head, asubstantially fiat handle inclined longitudinally for the major portion of its length at an outward angle to the plane of the outer side of the head, said inclined portion being tapered outwardly toward its outer end, and a gum massaging knob integral with the outer end of the inclined portion to form a portion of the handle, and said knob being laterally and inwardly tapered from its juncture with the handle to its outer end and being rounded and offset in a direction opposite to the direction of the inclination of the inclined portion.

2. In a toothbrush including a head, a substantially flat handle inclined longitudinally for the major portion of its length at an outward angle to the plane of the outer side of the head,

-said inclined portion being tapered outwardly toward its outer end, and a spherical shaped gum massaging knob formed on the outer end of the inclined portion and oifset therefrom.

WILLIAM G. WOLF. 

